Sacramento SIBTF Claim Attorney

Sacramento SIBTF Claim Lawyer

Imagine suffering from a workplace injury or preexisting disability and still having to work. It is highly likely that you might become injured again. In these cases, the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund, or SIBTF, is California’s option for supplementary financial support when a disabled worker is injured at work. A Sacramento SIBTF claim attorney is a great resource for determining eligibility and securing SIBTF benefits.

A Sacramento SIBTF Claim Attorney Who Understands You

Wiesner English, P.C. is committed to understanding our clients’ goals. By doing this, we can provide the most effective representation to meet your objectives. Our lawyers are patient, kind, and empathetic to the individual’s situation. We have helped many people in circumstances similar to yours, and we can offer you the same level of service.

What Is the California SIBTF?

The SIBTF is a program created to supplement workers’ compensation for disabled workers injured on the job. The idea is to encourage employers to hire disabled workers despite the fact that they are at high risk of getting hurt due to their disability. If they do get hurt again, the SIBTF covers the difference between the existing injury and the new injury. The employer is only liable for the second injury.

SIBTF recipients receive monthly payments for having a permanent partial disability or total disability for two combined injuries. This may sound fairly simple, but qualifying is anything but. Specific rules and eligibility marks must be met. The eligibility requirements are strict but not impossible to meet. A Sacramento SIBTF attorney can advise injured workers on how to qualify and assist in the stringent SIBTF benefits application process.

Hire a Sacramento SIBTF Claim Attorney to Assist You in Obtaining SIBTF Benefits

Many SIBTF claims are denied, but not because applicants don’t meet the requirements. They get denied because they don’t submit their applications properly. There cannot be any mistakes in submitting the required documents or in filing the application. When you hire an SIBTF claim attorney, you can be sure the right documents and the application are going to be filed accurately and properly. Sacramento SIBTF benefits are handled at the SIBTF Sacramento office located at 1750 Howe Avenue, Suite 370.

Determining Eligibility for SIBTF in Sacramento, CA

California law strictly defines the eligibility requirements for an individual to receive SIBTF benefits. The SIBTF eligibility requirements that eligible applicants must meet include:

• The injured worker had a preexisting disability before they were injured by their most recent workplace injury.
• The worker has a disability rating of at least 35% for the latest injury.
• Combined with the existing injury or disability, the worker’s disability rating is greater than the most recent injury alone.
• The worker has a disability rating of at least 70% for the combined injuries.

How Much Can an Injured Worker Get from SIBTF?

Workers with a permanent disability rating between 70% and 99% are considered partially disabled. This means they are still considered able to work to some extent. SIBTF pays these workers up to $290 per week to compensate for their lost potential wages. Workers with a 100% disability rating are considered to be unable to work. They are eligible to receive larger weekly benefits payments. The highest amount possible is $1,704 per week for life.

Nearly all claimants with a 100% disability rating receive the maximum weekly benefit for life. An estimated 3,500 workers file SIBTF claims each year. This may seem low, but for a worker to be rated with a 35% permanent disability is not very common. Increased use of SIBTF has led to higher employer taxes used to fund benefits, from $35 million in 2014‑15 to $850 million in 2024‑25.

How Can a Sacramento SIBTF Claim Attorney Help?

Once eligibility is determined and verified, and the new injury workers’ comp case is settled, a Sacramento SIBTF claim lawyer can begin working on the application for SIBTF benefits. An experienced lawyer who has represented clients in previously successful SIBTF claim cases can effectively do the following:

• Assess both injuries individually, comparing the current medical conditions of the injured worker with the medical conditions prior to the subsequent injury.
• Coordinate with vocational and medical professionals.
• Ensure all documents are prepared and included in the application, and file the application on behalf of their injured client.
• Represent their client in proceedings before the California Division of Workers’ Compensation (DWC).
• Follow through with and follow up on the status of their client’s benefits, ensuring they receive their rightful compensation.

Why Choose Us?

When you choose a Sacramento SIBTF claim lawyer from Wiesner English, P.C., you receive the highest standard of legal representation available for workplace injury law. We have represented injured employees across the state from various industries, including firefighters, educators, and warehouse workers. We are highly qualified to assist you with your SIBTF case.

FAQs About Sacramento, CA SIBTF Claim Laws

What Is the Statute of Limitations for SIBTF?

The statute of limitations for SIBTF is five years from the date of the subsequent injury. This may seem like a long time, but the law must allow time to finalize the settlement for the new injury. This is because one of the requirements of SIBTF is that you receive benefits for your most recent workplace injury first. Timing is essential in these cases. An SIBTF attorney can be invaluable in navigating the timeline within the requirements of SIBTF claim laws.

How Long Does SIBTF Take in California?

The time it takes to receive SIBTF in California can vary from claim to claim when you calculate the time from submitting the application to receiving the first payment. You must factor in the time required to secure benefits for your new workplace injury. Complications with the new workers’ compensation settlement can further delay the process.

How Are SIBTF Payments Calculated?

SIBTF payments are calculated based on the disability rates of both injuries. They aim to bridge the gap between the two injuries. In simplest terms, SIBTF benefits pay the difference between the new injury’s benefits and the total benefits that would be collected if both injuries were being compensated together.

What Is an SIBTF Case?

An SIBTF case involves an injured worker who has incurred subsequent workplace injuries and has already gotten a settlement for their most recent injury. The injured worker then files an SIBTF claim for benefits to cover the difference between the new settlement and hypothetical benefits of the two injuries combined. This opens an SIBTF case. Many plaintiffs hire an SIBTF attorney to help with this complicated process.

Connect With an Experienced Sacramento SIBTF Claim Attorney

Just because you have five years to file an SIBTF claim doesn’t mean you should wait to do so. If you’re suffering from back-to-back workplace injuries, don’t suffer in silence. Get the compensation you and your family deserve. Call Wiesner English, P.C. to talk with an experienced Sacramento SIBTF claim attorney.